Israel UAVs Could Have Reached Iran's Tabriz City Only from Azerbaijani-Occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, Iranologist Says

An Israeli anti-missile system operates on April 14 after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel.

Following yesterday’s Israeli drone attack on Iran, Analyst and Iranologist Vardan Voskanyan, in a statement on Telegram, suggested that the drones observed over Isfahan and Tabriz cities were potentially launched from Azerbaijani-occupied territories of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Iranian air defense systems reportedly engaged the Israeli drones over Isfahan and Tabriz, with no recorded ground explosions despite their destruction in the air. Notably, Voskanyan highlighted the significance of the Tabriz incident, pointing out that the Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could only have reached the northwest city if launched from territories under Azerbaijani control, including the contested region of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

In a separate development, US officials confirmed an Israeli missile strike targeting Iran early on Friday morning. The strike resulted in explosions heard in Iran's central province of Isfahan, home to critical nuclear facilities and military installations.

While Israel has not officially acknowledged responsibility for the attack, it follows threats of retaliation in response to a previous Iranian missile and drone assault on Israeli territory. Iranian authorities and media outlets downplayed the impact of the attack, asserting that it caused no significant damage.

Despite the muted response from Tehran, US officials corroborated the strike, indicating its limited scope and absence of casualties. The attack seems to have been a calculated move by Israel to respond to Iran while avoiding further escalation.

Isfahan, a key Iranian city housing nuclear facilities, has been at the center of recent military actions. Both Iranian authorities and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that the strike did not target nuclear sites.

The Israeli strike coincided with reported incidents in Syria and Iraq, where Israeli military activity was also suspected. Syrian authorities reported an Israeli attack on an air defense position, while Iraqi sources claimed to have found remnants of an Israeli missile.

The United States, while not directly involved in offensive operations, has been briefed on Israel's actions, emphasizing the delicate balance of power and interests at stake in the Middle East.

The recent developments shows the volatility of the region and the ongoing challenges in managing geopolitical rivalries while preserving peace and stability.